Few days are more tragic than the day a loved one dies. No matter how long they lived, the days you had together never seem to be enough. While you are grieving, you must make many decisions. Some of these can be made in weeks or even months, such as those regarding long-term living arrangements for their widow or settling their estate. Other decisions must be made shortly after their death or even in advance.
One of the earliest services you must perform for them following their death involves making their final arrangements. Whether they have chosen to be cremated or buried, many decisions need to be made to ensure they have a memorial that honors them. Funeral homes are more than just a place to stage a viewing. They offer compassionate care for the one who has passed and their loved ones.
Most people think of a funeral home as the location of a wake, homegoing service, or viewing. Funeral homes offer a range of services that begin before such services. In fact, many funeral homes offer the option of making one’s own final arrangements in advance.
Funeral home services assist with tasks that occur before, during, and after the funeral. They play a crucial role in completing the legal paperwork needed to cremate or bury your loved one’s remains. Other items the funeral home can accomplish include placing the obituary in local newspapers and providing directions or additional information to those wishing to attend the funeral.
For many people, the funeral home is the site of the viewing and the funeral service. The funeral home staff can help order floral arrangements and coordinate charitable gifts in lieu of flowers. They can also accommodate special requests for music before, during, and immediately following the service.
If your loved one is to be buried, the funeral home staff can help transport your loved one’s remains and your family to the cemetery, leading the funeral procession of vehicles. They can also secure a professional to conduct a graveside service if requested. Funeral homes can also coordinate offsite, catered funeral luncheons, or other meals.
Record-keeping is another expertise of funeral home support staff. They can provide a book for guests to sign and a place to leave sympathy cards at the service. They can also help keep track of any charitable donations made in honor of your loved one.
Since funeral homes offer so many services, choosing which ones are right for your loved one’s service can be challenging. If they had the opportunity to make their own arrangements, services are either preselected or can be more easily inferred from their wishes. If they have left nothing behind, then the funeral director and other support staff can assist you with this process.
When you secure the services of a funeral home, you are also securing their expertise. Such staff have helped hundreds or thousands of individuals determine which services fit their needs. Think of them as consultants, and please share any ideas you have with them.
When you work with a funeral services professional, they will help guide you through any decisions you need to make. An excellent starting place is your loved one’s wishes. Beyond their intentions, consider the needs and preferences of the people attending their service.
When you are grieving, it can be easy to think that the floral arrangements, musical selections, and other such external measures demonstrate your love. This is not the case. Funeral home staff are equipped to help grieving individuals such as yourself make sensible choices that show respect for your loved one and your financial resources.
If you have any questions about funeral home services, remember that it is never too early to consult with a funeral services professional. She or he can take you through every step of making your final arrangements easier on your loved ones. No matter if you are making final arrangements for yourself or others, funeral homes can help you with the entire process.
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